It was early morning as Cathy and I drove out into the Kruger National Park. We were going to have the joy of a solitary day among God’s creation.

Our first contact was two Rhinos lazily grazing away from the road. Apparently it was a mother and adolescent carefully feeding on the grass. We stopped, killed the motor and lowered our windows. We could hear their teeth pulling grass and chewing as we watched them for fifteen minutes. The silence was rich and their huge bodies waltzed slowly across the field.

The four ton animal seemed to move so slowly across the field that they seemed tame. He was grabbing each mouthful of grass and taking no note of our presence. They grazed long enough that we realized they were beginning to get close to our car. We were in such a position that we couldn’t crank the car without startling the huge animals. We reached each other’s hand and our eyes caught each other. What do we do was the question spoken without words? We said a quick prayer.

Rhinos have very poor eyesight and can be distressed very easily. They can also be a mean tempered animal when frightened. The younger Rhino came within two meters of our car and we did not say a thing.

In the next instance a third Rhino raced up the hill from the wooded area and snorted. Both of the Rhinos near us raised their heads instantly and looked around. The mother Rhino quickly danced to the rump of the younger and pushed him with her horn away from our car. The speed and agility of the four ton animals took our breath away.

They raced to a spot some five meters from the car and both turned to face our vehicle. They snorted and made sure our presence was not welcome now that they acknowledged our existence. We cranked the car and slowly pulled away. Their snorting and stomping made sure we continued away.

Our spiritual eyes are so dim at times they we are completely unaware of issues that linger right next to us. Satan is a master at blending into the fabric of our lives. Most of the time we are so captured by our personal needs that we pay no attention to things that have happened right next to us.

The spiritual wrestling match we wage daily is focused on keeping us from seeing and hearing our Lord. The wild forces of evil in the spiritual realms are very content if they can get us to relax, take a deep breath and just sit.

Our struggle is against powers that can dance a fine line between calm and calamity.  Sometimes it can feel like dancing with a 7,000 pound Rhinoceros.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions


Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Life Nuggets are written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and its goal of missionary retention.  

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In the spring time Holland has to be one of the most beautiful places in all the world. Fields of Tulips stretch to the horizon in a rainbow of colors from field to field. We have never seen anything like it before. It seems like every shade of color is represented brilliantly and radiantly.

The winter wonderland of ice skating and canals turns into a cascading canvas of flowers, windmills and green carpets of grass. Bicycles seem to be everywhere and people stroll the streets. There is an old world beauty that few places on earth can contend with.

We met our missionary friends with their little son. What a joy to see a friend from so many years ago in the Ukraine. She had participated in evangelism training at her church in Lutsk and we had become friends as she shared the same birthday as our son. Regular contact over the years had kept us aware of God’s work in her life as she went from Ukraine to Israel and finally to Amsterdam.

They had ministered for several years in this picturesque city of paradoxes. What is the pride and jewel of Amsterdam? It seems their red light district is world famous. It is prominently marked on all the city maps and advertising. It is a tourist attraction. Women dance in windows to attract customers, she said.

The stories of the girls involved are tragic and heartbreaking. Sex trafficking is a strong undercurrent in this world of prostitution. She said the stories are so heartrending that she had to step back from the ministry because of the pain. It was killing her.

But the story that caught my heart was the church steeple they pointed to at a distance. Do you see  that church? They were the founders of the red light district here in Amsterdam. All of the red light district is next to and around that church. Seven hundred years ago they set up this business to protect girls from sailor’s who came into port and raped the Dutch women. They also profited by collecting indulgences from the men who had sex and then went to confession.  There is even a monument on church property to the gay lifestyle. The triangle monument is complimented with a gay and lesbian information center.

We found our hearts overwhelmed with the reality of these accounts. How could this be? The spiritual forces seem daunting in this place. Our hearts break for those who seek to touch the lives of so many who are mangled in this world of sin.

Our travel will bring us back to Amsterdam before we leave the continent. Pray as we spend time with these precious friends here, in Germany and other locations as we serve with overwhelmed hearts. 

Cathy and Danny Sartin


www.deeperstillmissions.com

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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A Kingdom Leader is a person whose words match their deeds. You don’t have to guess what they will do or wonder if they will follow-through with commitments. Their word has weight because it is truthful.

Can friends predict your thinking and behavior? Do you make hollow promises to appear spiritual? Do you say yes to good opportunities and change your mind later? Do you call people in advance to let them know you can’t fulfill your commitment?  Do you demand more of others than you do of yourself?

Frivolous pledges are made and even oaths taken by many who want to appear Godly. Jesus told his disciples to be straightforward with their promises.

Matthew 5:37 says, simply let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (1)

We are praying for you today on this Easter celebration weekend.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

www.deeperstillmissions.com

(1)       The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids; Zondervan, 1996, c1984 S Matthew 5:37

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

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Deeper Still Missions is located in Bartlett, TN.

A Kingdom Leader lives his faith in front of his family at home. His behavior reflects the love of Christ inside his residence. The fruits of the Spirit are on display for everyone to see.

Does the atmosphere in your home replicate the glory of Christ? Does your mood cause others to relax? Do you or others have to walk on egg shells around your home?  Can your family see Christ in you?

Hebrews placed a small box on the doorframe of their home to remind them of the Word of God. The Word should affect how you live in your home.

Deuteronomy 6:9 (NIV) "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

We pray that God’s Word will change how you live at home.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Deuteronomy 6:9

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

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Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.

To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.